Ophthalmic liquid sunglasses

Abstract

Method of establishing U.V. absorption spectrum equilibrium between the tear film and epithelium of the cornea by topically applying an aqueous dispersion of a high molecular weight polymer and an ocular chromophore as ophthalmic liquid sunglasses.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An ophthalmic dosage of an aqueous gel for establishing a U.V. absorption spectrum equilibrium between the tear film and epithelium of the cornea of the eye in the UV-A and UV-B wavelengths, said gel comprising a chromophore selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate, octyl methoxy-cinnamate and mixtures thereof and a gel-forming high molecular weight ethylene-maleic anhydride polymer having a molecular weight in excess of 1,000,000 said chromophore being present at a level of from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight, said polymer being present at a level of from about 2 to about 8 percent by weight, said gel having a viscosity of from about 40,000 to about 300,000 cps. 
     
     
       2. The aqueous gel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said polymer has a molecular weight of from about 1,000,000 to about 6,000,000. 
     
     
       3. The aqueous gel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said gel has a viscosity of from about 75,000 to about 200,000 cps. 
     
     
       4. The aqueous gel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said gel has a viscosity of from about 90,000 to about 150,000 cps. 
     
     
       5. An ophthalmic mixture of a chromophore dosage for esablishing a U.V. absorption spectrum equilibrium between the tear film and the epithelium of the cornea of the eye in the UV-A and UV-B wavelengths upon the addition of water, comprising an anhydrous mixture of an ophthalmic chromophore selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate, octyl methoxy-cinnamate and mixtures thereof, and a gel-forming high molecular weight ethylenemaleic anhydride polymer having a molecular weight in excess of 1,000,000, the concentration of said chromophore and said polymer in said mixture being selected such that when said mixture is introduced into the eye in aqueous form, an aqueous gel is formed containing between about 4.0 and about 6 percent by weight of said chromophore and between about 2 and about 8 percent by weight of said polymer, said gel having a viscosity of between about 40,000 and about 300,000 cps. 
     
     
       6. The ophthalmic chromophore dosage in accordance with claim 5, wherein said polymer has a molecular weight of from about 1,000,000 to about 6,000,000. 
     
     
       7. The ophthalmic chromophore dosage in accordance with claim 5, wherein said mixture is suspended in a non-aqueous vehicle. 
     
     
       8. The ophthalmic chromophore dosage in accordance with claim 7, wherein said non-aqueous vehicle is a stabilized oil selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, vegetable oil, and silicone fluid. 
     
     
       9. A method for delivering an ophthalmic chromophore dosage to the eye to establish a U.V. absorption spectrum equilibrium between the tear film and epithelium of the cornea of the eye in the UV-A and UV-B wavelengths, comprising preparing an aqueous gel of an ophthalmic chromophore, selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate, octylmethoxy-cinnamate and mixtures thereof, and a gel-forming high molecular weight ethylene-maleic anhydride polymer having a molecular weight in excess of 1,000,000 adjusting the pH of said gel to between about 4.5 and about 8.5, said gel containing between about 4.0 to about 6 percent by weight of said chromophore and between about 2 and about 8 percent by weight of said polymer, said gel having a viscosity of between about 40,000 and about 300,000 cps, and introducing said gel into the conjuctival sac of the eye, whereby prolonged retention of said ophthalmic chromophore is provided. 
     
     
       10. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein said polymer has a molecular weight of from about 1,000,000 to about 6,000,000. 
     
     
       11. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein said aqueous gel has a viscosity of from about 75,000 to about 200,000 cps. 
     
     
       12. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein said gel has a viscosity of from about 90,000 to about 150,000 cps.